Nalanda district

A Buddhist pilgrimage site in Bihar, where the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara and the ancient sites of Rajgir carry thousands of years of Buddhist and Jain history.

Nalanda district is located in the southern part of the Ganges plain in Bihar, India, and is an important sacred site for Buddhism and Jainism. The ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara, a famous ancient center of Buddhist learning, is a World Heritage site where Xuanzang once studied, and the nearby Xuanzang Memorial Hall and Archaeological Museum are worth visiting. The Rajgir area is surrounded by hills and features Gridhrakuta (Vulture's Peak), Venu Vana, Saptaparni Cave, and the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, along with a ropeway and hot springs. The Jal Mandir in Pawapuri is a major Jain pilgrimage site. October to March is the best time to visit. It can be reached by road from airports in Patna or Gaya, and there are railway stations within the district.

Destinations

• Rajgir & Nalanda

Itineraries

• In the Footsteps of the Buddha Pilgrimage – Follow the sacred path from Bodh Gaya through Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, and Kushinagar, ending at Sarnath.
• Buddhist Circuit Pilgrimage (India & Nepal) – A pilgrimage loop covering Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Shravasti.